Junior Survey Responses

AKC appreciates the time that was taken to complete the survey about Junior Showmanship.  We will be including results throughout the next few issues of the Junior Newsletter.  We appreciate the comments and suggestions and are pleased to share the following with you.

1.  The AKC Board of Directors approved Reserve Best Junior at the February 2015 Meeting with an effective date of October 7, 2015.  The following is the addition to the Conformation Junior Showmanship Regulations:F. Reserve Best Junior Handler. A club offering Junior Showmanship may offer Reserve Best Junior Handler. If a prize is offered, it must be described in the premium list in accordance with Rules Applying to Dog Shows Chapter 5, Section 5. After the judge has awarded the Best Junior Handler, the second place winner from the class that the Junior was awarded Best Junior Handler is to return to the ring to compete for Reserve Best Junior Handler.
2.  You are able to look up your individual record to keep track of your awards by doing the following:
   1. First requesting your access code
      1. https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/kids_juniors/jrauth_request.cfm
   2. Once you have the code you would follow the instructions sent via email.
      1. If you have an existing MYAKC account you would log in using that account name.
3. It is recommended that you speak to Show Chairman about the choice of judges for Juniors and offer positive and constructive suggestions.  Numerous comments in the survey included the use of JS Only Judges for Juniors, provide information about these people to Show Chairman and advise that frequently they will offer their services to judge Juniors for minimal expense to the club.
4. The schedule for Judging is prepared by the Superintendent of the event.  The club holding the show may advise the Superintendent of a schedule that they would like utilized.

Pertinent aspects of the survey results will be provided to the Delegates All Breed Club Committee for review along with the comments.

Congratulations to John Rotelle for making the Agility European Open Team. Good luck to the Juniors competing in the Junior Agility European Open in the Czech Republic in July.

Survey Responses

1 – Who responded to survey?

921 responded
Junior – 38.65%
Parent – 61.

2 – The AKC Board of Directors approved the inclusion of the Master Class to the Conformation Junior Showmanship classes effective January 1, 2012. The intent of the class was to create an opportunity for more Juniors to qualify for events that require a certain number of wins from the Open Class, like the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship or Westminster. Have you (or your child, if you’re a parent) competed and met the eligibility requirement to move into the Masters Class?

Answered 869  – skipped -52
Yes – 24.63%
No – 75.37%

3 – Since the implementation of the Masters Class, staff has received ongoing input that the addition of this class has had a negative impact on the entries in the Junior Showmanship classes and a Junior’s desire to compete. Do you continue to compete regularly in Conformation Junior Showmanship in the Master class?
Answered – 193 / Skipped – 728
Yes – 70.47%
No – 29.53%

4 – Are you in favor of elimination of the Masters Class?
Answered – 807 / Skipped – 114
Yes – 37.67%
No – 64.19%

5 – Do you have any recommendations for revisions to Conformation Junior Showmanship?
Answered – 722 / Skipped – 199
Reviewing – responses

6 – Would you support the inclusion of an exhibition only class for Juniors under 9 years of age?
Answered – 707 / Skipped – 214
Yes – 70.16%
No – 29.84%

7 – If yes do you have suggestions for implementation?
Answered – 311 / Skipped – 610
Reviewing – responses

8 – Do you currently compete in AKC Events other than Conformation Junior Showmanship?
Answered – 709 / Skipped – 212
Yes – 82.37%
No – 17.63%

9 – Please check all that are applicable:
Answered – 584 / Skipped – 337
Obedience – 39.73%
Rally – 41.10 %
Agility – 34.42%
Lure Cursing – 10.10%
Coursing Ability Test – 9.25%
Herding – 9.59%
Hunt Tests – 12.67%
Field Trials – 6.51%
Breed – 80.82%

10 – All sports are allowed to offer reduced entry fees for Juniors. This is controlled by the club holding the event. Are the events you choose to enter offering reduced entry fees?
Answered – 698 / Skipped – 223
Yes – 64.90%
No – 35.10%

11 – Does this influence your decision to enter?
Answered – 697 / Skipped – 224
Yes – 70.30%
No – 29.70%

12 – Do you enter events based on proximity to where you live?
Answered – 695 / Skipped – 226
Yes – 89.78%
No – 10.22%

13 – Are you a Junior member of a club? (check all that are applicable)
Answered – 694 / Skipped – 227
All Breed Club – 25.22%
Parent Club – 28.39%
Training Club – 16.86%
No – 40.49%
Other – 16.14%

14 -Have you ever attended an AKC Registered Handlers Program Junior Clinic?
Answered – 692 / Skipped – 229
Yes – 52.71%
No – 47.83%